Skip to main content
Add Me To Your Mailing List
HomePlaces to Ride

Places to Ride


The Virginia Horse Council in conjunction with local clubs and jurisdictions has updated their Directory of Primary Horse Trails and Trail Heads. The directory is online and is broken down by geographic region. Check it out on the Virginia Outdoors website.

The Virginia Horse Council has also released a brochure called "Keep the Ride Alive" the highlights riding trails in Virginia and other useful trail riding info. A useful resource to keep in your truck or trailer. Download the brochure through VHC's website.

Below are informational links to parks in our area available for trail riding. They are organized by "who owns it". If you plan on utilizing any of the facilities or parks below, we encourage you to confirm availability and familiarize yourself with any regulations prior to making the drive. Don't have a horse but want to trail ride? Some of the Park authorities listed below, hire concessioners that offer trail riding for those without a horse. Check out their websites below to find a park near you and see what they have to offer.

Virginia State and County Trails


Pilot Trailoff Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, VA - there is no official site for this trail and sadly, the Loudoun County Parks and Recs people answering the telephone, have no knowledge of it. It does exist, however. Parking and trailhead are at the intersection of Woods Road and Evergreen Mills Road north of Leesburg.

Northern Virginia Park Authority Scroll down the page to Equestrian Trails. Currently Include: Algonkian, Bull Run Marina, Bull Run, Fountainhead, Hemlock Overlook, Pohick Bay, Temple Hall Farm and the W&OD trail.

Virginia State Parks This is a direct link to the Horse Camping and Trails Page.

Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries (Thompson, Phelps)Many of the wildlife management areas (WMA's) allow horseback riding. Again, check before you go.

Virginia Dept of Forestry Permit required. Click here to see what recreational activities are available by Forest (Whitney and Conway Robinson are close-by)

Prince William County  has a couple of parks with equestrian facilities and trails. James Long Park and Nokesville Park are two. Their website is not very robust or informational, so call ahead and see what's available.


The next 3 properties are within about 40 minutes of each other. The first is about a 2 1/2 drive from Leesburg, VA and offers primitive camping so a weekend trip exploring these trails is definately worthwhile.


Fulfillment Farm  is located in Esmont, Virginia, approximately 6 miles west of the town of Scottsvilleand south of Charlottesville. This 2000 acre tract is owned by the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV). It is managed for hunting activities but riding allowed on non-hunting days. The terrain varies from vast open fields, to steep wooded slopes and there are many beautiful creek crossings. Visits require a special use permit you can get to on their home page.They USED to have an equestrian specific permit but they may no longer allow horseback riding ...

The Belmead Saddle and Riding Club  is located in Powhatan, Va. This membership based riding cluboperates on the historic Belmead plantation on the James River, just West of Richmond. Members and their guests have access to about 2,265 acres of riding with more trails under development. For more information contact Bill Catlett at billcatlett@earthlink.net. Belmead is owned by the Roman Catholic Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and is a state and national historic landmark. Much of the property has been placed in a conservation easement.

The League of Maryland Horsemen  is also a members only club with a camping facility adjacent to Patapsco State Park.

The Heritage Trail at Pleasant Grove, Fluvanna Co. in Central Va.The Fluvanna Parks and Recreation department opened the Heritage Trail at Pleasant Groveto the public on May 5, 2007. Historically, the trails had only been opened to country residents and their guests. The trails will be open everyday including hunting season as hunting is not permitted within Pleasant Grove. The fee is $8.00 per day, per rider for non-county residents. Pleasant Grove is located on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains and borders the Rivanna River. It includes approximately 15 miles of trail on the 969 acre property. Trails are a mix of wooded single track and open fields.

National Park Service Click on the state you wish to visit and drill down from there to determine if horseback riding is allowed.C&O Canal, Catoctin Mountain Park, Great Falls, Manassas Battlefield, Shenandoah National Park, and Rock Creek Park are all National Parks. Be aware PERMITS are required at most if not all National Parks.

US Department of Forestry pick your state and find a park. Virginia is host to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.


Privately Owned


There are also a couple of privately owned guided trail riding facilities in the Northern Virginia area, where you basically pay by the hour.

Chase Run Stables This privately owned trail riding and lesson facility is located in the Waterford / Hamilton areas of Loudoun County, VA

Serene Acres located in Bluemont, VA in Loudoun County is offering trail rides on their horses. Another great resource!

Kellys Ford Equestrian Center Offers trail riding and lessons in Remington, VA

Marriott Ranch This property is owned by the Marriott Corporation and is located in Hume, VA.They offer guided trail rides through some really pretty areas

Graves Mountain Resort  in Syria, VA offers trail rides on their horses or bring your own! If you go to www.rideourtrails.com you will find maps of some of the area trails.